{"id":70517,"date":"2019-12-27T16:43:39","date_gmt":"2019-12-28T00:43:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=70517"},"modified":"2020-04-14T22:37:43","modified_gmt":"2020-04-15T05:37:43","slug":"brainstem-tuberomammillary-nucleus-locus-coeruleus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/brainstem-tuberomammillary-nucleus-locus-coeruleus\/","title":{"rendered":"Brainstem, Tuberomammillary Nucleus &#038; Locus Coeruleus"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Neuroscientists believe that the brain creates synchronized output by acting as a complex and self-regulated system. The brain regions discussed in this post are no exception. The brainstem, tuberomammillary nucleus, and locus coeruleus have collectively been implicated in consciousness, memory, sleep, and mood. Read on to learn the basic neuroscience.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Brain_Regions_in_this_Post_Before_You_Read_On\"><strong>Brain Regions in this Post: Before You Read On<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Our_Scope\">Our Scope<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><em>This post focuses on the neuroscience of the lateral hypothalamus. Its contents are solely informational. Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any neurological symptoms. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Be_Careful_Not_to_Misinterpret_the_Symptoms_Listed_Below\">Be Careful Not to Misinterpret the Symptoms Listed Below<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Problems with the brain regions discussed below (the brainstem, tuberomammillary nucleus, and locus coeruleus) can cause different symptoms. Each person\u2019s symptoms will depend on the affected area, the types of hormones involved, and other health conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Some possible symptoms that may signal a hypothalamus problem are included below, but these lists are in no way exhaustive. Also, the symptoms described below are not specific to problems with these brain regions but may have many possible underlying causes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned in this post. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Your doctor should diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your symptoms<\/strong>. In some cases, he or she may recommend scheduling an appointment with a neurologist who is qualified to do detailed brain function assessments.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"The_Brainstem\"><strong>The Brainstem<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Functions\"><strong>Functions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Sensations of <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/23-ways-to-combat-pain-naturally-by-increasing-your-opioids\/\">pain<\/a>, temperature, and itch<\/li>\n<li>Maintaining consciousness<\/li>\n<li>Regulating the <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/health-benefits-sleep\/\">sleep<\/a> cycle<\/li>\n<li>Regulating <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/resting-heart-rate\/\">heart rate<\/a>, breathing, sleeping, and eating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Potential_Symptoms_of_Brainstem_problems\"><strong>Potential Symptoms of Brainstem problems<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Visual disturbances<\/li>\n<li>Pupil abnormalities<\/li>\n<li>Changes in sensation<\/li>\n<li>Muscle weakness<\/li>\n<li>Hearing problems<\/li>\n<li>Vertigo<\/li>\n<li>Swallowing<\/li>\n<li>Speech difficulty<\/li>\n<li>Voice change<\/li>\n<li>Coordination problems<\/li>\n<li>Altered heart rate<\/li>\n<li>Altered blood pressure<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/methods-to-fall-asleep-insomniac\/\">Altered sleeping cycle<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/the-cause-of-brain-fog\/\">\u201cbrain fog\u201d<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Tuberomammillary_nucleus_limbic_system\"><strong>Tuberomammillary nucleus (limbic system)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<aside class=\"sh-partner shp-form sponsored sh-et-7388fa\">\n  <div>\n          <div class=\"partner-heading\">Fix Your Brain Fog and Enhance Cognition<\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"partner-content\">\n      <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our e-book, <strong>How To Solve Procrastination, Forgetfulness and Lack of Mental Clarity Using Your Genes<\/strong>\u00a0has helped hundreds of people get rid of their brain fog and improve their cognitive function. Learn which genes are key players in cognitive function and what you can do to optimize them.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"subscribe-form-container\">\n      <form method=\"POST\" action=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70517\" class=\"sh-subscribe-form\">\n        <input type=\"email\" name=\"subscribe_form_data[email]\"\n            pattern=\"^[a-zA-Z0-9.!#$%&\u2019*+\/=?^_`{|}~-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9-]+(?:\\.[a-zA-Z0-9-]+)*$\" required\n            placeholder=\"Enter your email\">\n                  <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"subscribe_form_data[tags][]\" value=\"SH Optin: PartnerAd Brain Upgrade\">\n                  <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"subscribe_form_data[tags][]\" value=\"SH Optin: Brain Fog Ebook\">\n                  <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"subscribe_form_data[tags][]\" value=\"PartnerAd\">\n                <button type=\"submit\" class=\"btn btn-primary subscribe-submit\">Upgrade My Brain<\/button>\n      <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n          <style>aside.sponsored.sh-et-7388fa::before{content:\"Advertisement\"}<\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<h3><span id=\"Potential_Symptoms_of_Tuberomammillary_problems\"><strong>Potential Symptoms of Tuberomammillary problems<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Fatigue<\/li>\n<li>Impaired memory<\/li>\n<li>Impaired cognitive function<\/li>\n<li>Impaired sleep<\/li>\n<li>Weight problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"About_The_Tuberomammillary_System\"><strong>About The Tuberomammillary System<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The tuberomammillary nucleus is located within the <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/hypothalamus-101\/\">hypothalamus<\/a>. It consists of <a href=\"http:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/histamine\/\">histamine<\/a>-releasing neurons. Scientists believe it is involved in [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/book\/9781437717037\/therapy-in-sleep-medicine\">R<\/a>+]:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wakefulness<\/li>\n<li>Cognitive function<\/li>\n<li>Memory<\/li>\n<li>Sleep<\/li>\n<li>Weight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Locus_Coeruleus\"><strong>Locus Coeruleus<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Function_Location\"><strong>Function &amp; Location<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some medications including <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/norepinephrine-stress-hormone\/\">norepinephrine<\/a> reuptake inhibitors are believed to work through this area [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11422448\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Research continues to reveal the roles of norepinephrine &#8212; from regulating the <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/factors-counteract-stress-response\/\">stress response<\/a> to helping form memories to maintaining attention to initiating arousal.<\/p>\n<p>Studies suggest that the locus coeruleus may be responsible for mediating many of the sympathetic effects during <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science\/\">stress<\/a> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4999448\/\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Scientists consider that the most important functions influenced by this system are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wakefulness<\/li>\n<li>Sleep-wake cycle<\/li>\n<li>Attention<\/li>\n<li>Memory<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/21-drugs-increase-motivation\/\">Motivation<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Behavioral flexibility<\/li>\n<li>Behavioral control<\/li>\n<li>Stress (psychological)<\/li>\n<li>Emotions<\/li>\n<li>Neuroplasticity<\/li>\n<li>Posture and balance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Activation_by_Stress\"><strong>Activation by Stress<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Researchers think that once this system is activated by stress, it will respond by increasing norepinephrine secretion. Increased norepinephrine, in turn, may:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alter cognitive function (through the prefrontal cortex)<\/li>\n<li>Increase motivation (through nucleus accumbens)<\/li>\n<li>Activate the <a href=\"http:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/reasons-cortisol-low-high\/\">hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/reasons-cortisol-low-high\/\"> axis<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Increase the sympathetic (fight or flight)\/inhibit parasympathetic (rest and digest) system (through the brainstem).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The released norepinephrine can act on \u03b12 receptors to increase working memory, while an excess of norepinephrine may decrease working memory by binding to the lower-affinity \u03b11 receptors.<\/p>\n<p>Activation of the locus coeruleus via the amygdala has been implicated as a major factor in stress-induced disorders, especially <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/ptsd-causes-treatments\/\">PTSD<\/a>. Combat-related PTSD to be associated with fewer neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC). However, more research is needed to confirm this association [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/29100627\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Experimental data suggest that the locus coeruleus is almost completely inactivated in REM sleep [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/27022631\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Alzheimers_Disease\"><strong>Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Limited data suggest that there may be up to 80% loss of locus coeruleus neurons in <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/alzheimer\/\">Alzheimer&#8217;s disease<\/a> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6649639\/\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>According to one yet-to-be-verified theory, norepinephrine from locus coeruleus cells may provide an anti-inflammatory environment around the neurons, glial cells, and blood vessels in the neocortex and hippocampus. It is also hypothesized to suppress amyloid beta production, but this hasn\u2019t been proven.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Neurochemicals\"><strong>Neurochemicals<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Norepinephrine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Potential_Symptoms_of_Locus_Coeruleus_problems\"><strong>Potential Symptoms of Locus Coeruleus problems<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/natural-treatments-depression\/\"><strong>Depression<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/natural-treatments-anxiety\/\"><strong>Anxiety<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Panic disorder<\/li>\n<li>PTSD<\/li>\n<li>ADHD<\/li>\n<li>Parkinson&#8217;s disease<\/li>\n<li>Alzheimer&#8217;s disease<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Work with your doctor or another health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Neuroscientists believe that the brain creates synchronized output by acting as a complex and self-regulated system. The brain regions discussed in this post are no exception. The brainstem, tuberomammillary nucleus, and locus coeruleus have collectively been implicated in consciousness, memory, sleep, and mood. Read on to learn the basic neuroscience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26632,"featured_media":86167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[380,359],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[3553,6649,32567,32557,32552,21158,1726,760,21155,5253,32566,32563,32565,32564,32561,514,21156,32562,32553,2057],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70517"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70517"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70517\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":102308,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70517\/revisions\/102308"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70517"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=70517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}